Blojsom Theme Contest 2005 - blojsom - Confluence

Theme Contest

Themes allow you to change the way your blog looks by providing a set of templates and graphics so that you can switch out one look for another. We've already got a number of available themes included in blojsom. We'd like to see some more variety!

I've shamelessly adapted these rules from the MovableType Developer's Contest.

Judges

David Czarnecki (lead blojsom developer)
Mark Lussier (blojsom contributor)

Maybe a few others.

Prizes

1st Prize (One Winner):

$50 Amazon.com gift certificate

2nd Prize (Two Winners):

$15 Amazon.com gift certificate

3rd Prize (Three Winners):

blojsom t-shirt

How To Enter

Entries must be received by March 31st, 2005 12:01 AM (EST).

No purchase necessary.

Besides, blojsom is free software.

Multiple themes in a single submission will only count once towards a single individual. Individuals cannot win more than once in this contest.

Submitting Entries

Your submission must include:

Installation instructions, including a list of all prerequisites.
Usage instructions: how to use it, and how to make sure it's working you would expect.

In other words: we can only test and judge your theme if we know what it's supposed to do, so you'll need to provide us with all of the information that we need to make sure that we can run your theme successfully.

Take a look at the theme switcher plugin documentation for information on how themes are packaged and made available.

BSD License Compatability

blojsom uses the BSD license.

You may choose an appropriate license for your theme. However, any theme submissions with licenses incompatible with the BSD license (e.g. GPL) cannot be included a future version of blojsom.

Submission Form

At the time you are ready to submit your theme, include the following in an e-mail to David Czarnecki (david (at) blojsom (dot) com).

Personal Information

Name:
Address :
City:
State/Country/Provice:
Zip/Postal Code:
Home Phone Number:
Work Phone Number:
Email Address:

Mailing/shipping address must be a street address.

Entries should be packaged as a complete .ZIP or .tar.gz file and contain all template files and graphics required to use the theme.

Reference Documents / Support

Reference Documents

Support

blojsom users's mailing list.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged by a panel of qualifying blojsom developers and third-party judges. Decisions of the judges are final as to all matters relating to this contest. The judges will consider the following criteria in determining winners:

Standards Compliance (20%): Themes which adhere to valid XHTML/HTML and CSS standards. CSS-based themes preferable.
Originality (20%): A measure of how well the theme differs from the other available themes.
Integration (20%): How well the theme takes advantage of the various available plugins for blojsom.
Wow Factor (40%): We want the theme to look good!

Prizes will be awarded on the overall scores according to the above criteria.

Eligible Contestants

You must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Residents of Florida are not eligible. Void where prohibited by law.

The contest is open to independent developers. It is your sole responsibility to review and understand your employer's policies regarding your eligibility to participate in contests. If you are participating in violation of your employer's policies, you may be disqualified from entering this Contest or receiving prizes. David Czarnecki and Mark Lussier disclaim any and all liability or responsibility for disputes arising between an employee and their employer related to this matter, and prizes will only be awarded in compliance with the employer's policies.

David Czarnecki, Mark Lussier, their families, and judges are not eligible to enter.

Terms and Conditions for Entries

No purchase necessary to enter or win.
Entries will be accepted beginning February 8th, 2004. Once submitted, no changes to themes will be permitted.
Deadline for entry is March 31st, 2005 12:01 AM (EST).
David Czarnecki reserves the right to eliminate any entry on the basis of objectionable content, including, but not limited to, profanity, nudity, potentially insulting or inflammatory images or language.
Entries must not contain any viruses or destructive properties.
David Czarnecki reserves the right to cancel or suspend this contest if viruses, bugs or other causes corrupt the security or judging of the contest.
David Czarnecki will retain non-exclusive, perpetual, no-cost license to all submitted themes.
Participants retain intellectual property rights to their themes.
Each entrant warrants and represents that he/she is the independent creator of the submitted entry, the entry is original and owned by the entrant, the entry was not created at your job using your employers equipment or on your employers time.
The entry must not contain copyrighted artwork and/or non-distributable typefaces.
Themes must work correctly; their instability or failure may lead to elimination of your entry from the contest.
Multiple entries may be submitted. Each entry must be submitted separately. Only one prize will be awarded to an individual entrant.
David Czarnecki does not assume responsibility for technical, network, electronic, computer, hardware or software failure of any kind, stolen, incomplete, garbled or delayed internet/e-mail computer transmission, or lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete or incorrectly transmitted entries.
Entries will be disqualified if entry form is not complete, or contains inaccurate or false information.
By entering the contest, the entrants (a) agree to the official rules and the decisions of the judges which shall be final in all respects; (b) consent to the use of the winners names and likenesses, statements, quotes or testimonials for advertising, trade and publicity purposes and grants David Czarnecki and its authorized agents the right to reprint, display, reproduce, perform or exhibit the entry without limitation and without any further compensation; (c) release David Czarnecki from any and all liability for any injuries, losses or damage of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession or use of any prize.
Judging will begin on or about March 1st, 2005.
Winners will be notified by both e-mail and mail no sooner than March 21st, 2005 and no later than March 25th, 2005.
Prizes are non-transferable.
There will be no substitutions of prizes and no election of cash in lieu of prizes.
All prizes will be awarded. In the event of prize unavailability, David Czarnecki reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.
Winners should allow two months for delivery of the prizes after notification of winning. If prize notification or any prize is returned as undeliverable, prize will be forfeited.
This contest is governed by U.S. law. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted.
Winners are responsible for any applicable local, state and federal taxes and any other charges, including, but not limited to, duties, customs fees or other fees on prizes. For residents of the United States a 1099 will be filed with the IRS.
A copy of the winners list, once available, will be posted at this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do you have a preference for Velocity, FreeMarker, JSP, or Groovy since blojsom can use either of those for developing templates?
Answer: Velocity.

Question: What version of blojsom should people use for the theme contest?
Answer: The latest version of blojsom at the time of this contest is blojsom 2.23. Entries for the contest should include what version of blojsom was used in development.

Question: Does the code have to be donated to you (or blojsom)?
Answer: No. I did make a note above regarding licensing. "Developers may choose an appropriate license for their theme. However, any theme submissions with licenses incompatible with the BSD license (e.g. GPL) cannot be included a future version of blojsom." Also, if you do not want your theme to be included in a future version of blojsom, please specify when making your submission.

Question: Can I submit a bunch of themes and have them all count towards one entry? Or does each count separately?
Answer: Each theme will count separately. You can submit the entire set of themes in one submission, however.